Centrifugal machine for treating textiles with liquid and gases



y H. WOLFER CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE FOR TREATING TEXTILES WITH LIQUID AND GASES //7 ren/0f:

Dec. 8, '1925- H. WOLFER CENTRIF'UGAL MAGHINHFOR TREATING @EXTILES WITH LIQUID AND GASES Filed nec. (s.- 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet #y m WMM www Patented Dec. 8, 1925.

UNITED STATES 'l` FFICE.

ONEEIALF TO OBERVAIER S7 CUE., OW

lfE'STADT-ON-THE--IAARDT, GERMANY.

CENTRIFUGAL lVACHNE FCR TREATNG TEXTILES WITH LQUD AND GASES.

Application led December 'l 10 all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, HEINRICH VVOLrnR, a citizen of the German Republic, and resident of Ludwigshafen0n-theRhine, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Machines for Treating Textiles with Liquid and Gases, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a centrifugal machine for treating textiles with liquid and gases and of the type comprising a vertical receptacle within which a perforated drum wound with the materials to be treated, is rotated by means of a hollow driving shaft through which the liquid and gases are supplied.

The invention consists essentially in the provision of means whereby the drum can be suspended from the driving shaft so that it can adjust itself about the suspension point and effect its own centration. rlhus the usually employed centering devices and the labour involved in the adjustment of the same, will be obviated. Means are provided whereby the drum is automatically applied to the fluid delivery nozzle at the commencement of the operation and withdrawn therefrom as the machine is stopped. Thel invention also includes improved devices for supporting and adjusting the drum during the suspension, as well as for supplying and discharging the fluid whereby the materials are treated.

Fig. l of the accompanying drawings represents a vertical section ofthe complete apparatus, and

Fig. 2, a top view of the same with the cover of the vessel removed.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on an enlargetscale of the drum and its suspending elements, and

Fig. 4L is an elevation at right angles to Fig. 3 and with the drum shown in a diiierf entposition relative to the driving shaft.

The device comprises a vertically supported, preferably cylindrical vessel a which is closed at the top by a cover and at the bottom by a cover c, both covers being connected to the vessel so as to effect a tight closure. The top cover Z) is detachable and carries a hollow shaft c which is coaxial with the vessel a. One bearing for the shaft c is held by the cover Zi direct, and the other bearing is held on the cover by a shackle al. Both bearings are constructed as stuuming 8, 1924. Serial N0. 754,571.

boxes and fitted with glands d2 and 1 respectively. The upper bearing is closed by a pipe connection Z1 to which the different supply pipes can be readily connected for feeding liquid or gas through the shaft c. The shaft carries a driving pulley g and is prevented from axial displacement, in downward direction by a thrust bearing f and in the upward direction by a collar it. The lower portion el of theshaft is screwthreaded for the reception of a nut z' which is fitted with two diametrically opposed, forked wings 1. Links 7c are suspended on pins 2 in the wings l for carrying the warp beam r1 or other drum on which the materials r are wound for treatment. The drum r1 is perforated so that the liquid or gas can be forced radially through the drum and through the materials 1 into the vessel a. Rings provided with ianges r2 and r3 respectively are fitted in the ends of the drum r1, and caps e and t are applied to the rings so as to close the end of the drum. The caps are held in position by means of a clamping device composed of a rod u which passes centrally through the drum and which is screw-threaded for the reception of a clamping nut. rlhe latter is constructed as a hand wheel and bears against the cap .t while the opposite end of the rod is firmly connected by means of a shackle to the cap s. The cap s is fitted with two diametricallv opposed hooks s3 which face tangentially in opposite directionsand which are spaced in conformity with the links 7c so that they can be attached to the latter for the suspension of the drum r1. rlilhe lower ends of the links 7a are forked and fitted with bolts cl for engagement with the hooks s3. The bolts 7x1 are arranged at right angles to the pins 2. For admitting the Huid from the shaft e into the drum r1, the cap s is provided with a central aperture s2 which is surrounded bv a packing ring S1. For engagement with this ring the shaft e carries at its lower end a spherical body L1 having a diametral bore through which the duct of the shaft c and the aperture S2 of the cap s can communicate. The body L1 is ground to a supporting shell L so that itcan turn in the latter and follow the oscillations of the drum r1 when in contact therewith. A dished plate s4 is arranged in the drum r1 under the cap s so as t-o receive the liquid from the shaft e and divert it towards the drum Wall.

The lower cover c of the vessel a has a boss c1 in which a plunger' m1 is guided. Connected to the upper end of this plunger by means of radial upturned arms, is a ring m fitted with a raised edge m2. This ring serves as a temporary support for the drum r1 which it is adapted to hold in a central position relative to the shaft e. The plunger m1 is engaged by a double-armed lever n which can be operated by means of a rod 0, a screw spindle Q, and a hand wheel p for raising and lowering the ring m. The plunger m1 passes through a stuffing box which is fitted with a gland c2. The liquid from the vessel a passes through a funnelshaped space c* in the cover c into an annular space 03 made in the boss which surrounds the plunger m1, and a pipe c5 leads from the space c3 for conveying the liquid wherever required.

ln preparing the device for use, the cover b is first removed together with the machine elements connected to it. The drum r1 is, together with the materials r, connected by means of the hooks S3 to a hoisting tackle and lowered vertically into the vessel a. lil/Then it is at rest on the supporting ring in., which should be in its lowest position, the hoisting tackle is removed, and the cover b is replaced on the vessel and secured in position. Thereupon the drum r1 is raised by means of the gear p, Q' until the hoo rs sa are in a position to enter the forks of the links 7n. Suitable stops may be provided for determining its position. The shaft e lis then turned by means of the pulley g until the bolts k1 strike against the stems of the hooks with the latter in an overhanging position. lf now the support m is lowered, the bolts 761 will be engaged by the hooks s3, and the drum r1 will remain suspended on the links /e ready for action. After the connection of a supply pipe to the nipple d1, the shaft c is set in motion. @wing to the inertia of the drum and to the small friction between the screw el and the nut z', there will at first be a rotary displacement of the shaft relative to the nut which causes the drum to be raised and the orifice of the aperture S2 to be applied to that of the ball lll. `Further rotary displacement of the shaft relative to the drum is then prevented, and the drum, which is free to swing about the center of the ball joint, will acquire proper centr-ation wnile participating in the rotary motion of the shaft. As the shaft now communicates with the aperture s2 and therefore with the interior of the drum, the supply taps can be opened so as to admit'the fluid, which passes through the drum `and through the material fr under the iniiuence of the centrifugal effect. The

'material may be subjected in this manner to alternate steeping and drying processes without stopping the machine. When liquid is supplied, the plate si ensures a uniform distribution of the same all along the interior of the erum. For the drying process, air under pressure is supplied, and the process can be speeded up by connecting the pipe to an exhaust. Heating of the air also accelerates the drying procI ess. lVhen a circulation of liquid or gases is required, for instance for dyeing or bleaching, the pipe may be connected to the supply nipple Z1 through a pump and, if required, through a boiler. Suitable windows may be provided in the vessel a and in the cover o for inspection purposes.

vWhen the treatment is completed, the supply of fluid is cut off, and the machine stopper. The drum r1- continucs to move after the power has been cut off and in so doing turns the nut on the screw thread el and descends to its initial position, thereby interrupting the communication between the shaft and the interior of the drum. When the drum is at rest, the supporting ring m is raised so as to lift the drum and disengage the hooks si from the bolts icl. rllhen the snaft c is turned so as to move the links away from the hooks, whereupon the cover l) can be removed, and the drum r2 lifted out of the vessel 0;.

lnstcad of driving the machine by means of a pulley g', an electric or other motor may be mounted on the cover Z1 and connected to the shaft for direct dri ve.

@ther devices than those described may be employed for setting the drum automatically in communication with the hollow driving shaft. The adjustment may, for instance, be effected centrifugally by means of weighted levers.

l claim:

l. i centrifugal machine for treating textiles with liquid and gases, comprising a closed vessel, a hollow vertical shaft supported rotatably in the upper part of said vessel, a perforated drum adapted to be wound with the materials to be treated, means for suspendingl said drum on said shaft vertically inside the vessel so that rotation will be communicated by the shaft to the drum a Ad so that the latter can adjust itself about the suspension point and effect its own centration, and means for maintain-ing the duct of the shaft in communication with the interior of the drum.

2. A centrifugal machine for treating.;` textiles with liquid and gases, comprising a closed vessel, a hollow vertical shaft supported rotatably in the upper part of said vessel, a perforated drum adapted to be wound with the materials to be treated, means for suspending said drum on said shaft vertically inside the vessel so that rotation will be communicated by the shaft fl D to the drum and so that the latter can adjust itself about the suspension point and eect its own centration, caps covering the ends of said drum, the top cap having a central inlet aperture, and automatically operating means for lifting the drum at the commencement of the rotation se as to apply the cap aperture to the end of the hollow shaft and for re-lowering the drum when the rotation stops.

3. A centrifugal machine for treating textiles with liquid and gases, comprising a closed vessel, a hollow vertical shaft supported rotatably in the upper part of said vessel and provided with a screw-threaded lower vent, a perforated drum adapted to be wound with the materials to be treated, suspending hooks connected to one end of the drum, a winged nut arranged on the screw-threaded end of the shaft, forked links pivotally suspended on the wings of said nut, and bolts fitted in the forks of said links so that the drum can be suspended thereon by means of its hooks inside the vessel for receiving motion from the shaft, the nut being free to rotate on the shaft under the influence of the inertia of the drum so that the latter will be raised against the end of the shaft at the commencement of the motion and Withdrawn therefrom when the shaft is stopped, the drum being provided with an inlet aperture arranged so as to be applied to the end of the hollow shaft when the drum ,is thus raised.

4t. A centrifugal machine for treating textiles with liquid and gases, comprising a closed vessel, a hollow vertical shaft supported rotatably in the upper part of said vessel and provided with a screw-threaded lower end, a bored spherical body held swivelly at the lower end of the shaft as a continuation of its duct, a perforated drum adapted to be wound with the materials to be treated, suspending hooks connected to one end of the drum, a winged nut arranged on the screw-threaded end of the shaft, forked links pivotally suspended on the wings of said nut, and bolts fitted Iin the forks of said links so that the drum can be suspended thereon by means of its hooks inside the vessel for receiving motion from the shaft, the nut being free to rotate on the shaft under the influence of the inertia of the drum so that the latter will be raised against the shaft at the commencement of the motion and Withdrawn therefrom when the shaft is stopped, the drum being provided with an inlet aperture arranged so as to be applied to the orifice of said spherical body when the drum is thus raised.

A centrifugal machine for treating textiles with liquid and gases, comprising a closed vessel, a hollow vertical shaft supported rotatably in the upper part of said vessel, a perforated drum adapted to be wound with the materials to be treated, means for suspending said drum on said shaft vertically inside the vessel so that r0- tation will be communicated by the shaft to the drum and so that the latter can adjust itself about the suspension point and effect its own centration, a stuffing box surrounding the upper end of the shaft, a pipe connection applied to said stuliing boX for feeding fluid into the shaft, and means for maintaining the duet ofthe shaft in comf munication with the interior of the drum during the operation.

6. A centrifugal machine for treating textiles with liquid and gases, comprising a closed vessel, a hollow vertical shaft supported rotatably in the upper part of said vessel, a perforated drum adapted to be wound with the materials to be treated, means for suspending said drum on said shaft vertically inside the vessel so that it will be rotated by the shaft and so that it can adjust itself about the suspension point and effect Iits own centration, a vertically adjustable support arranged in the lower part of the vessel and adapted to receive and centre the drum previous to the suspension of the same, means for withdrawing the support after the suspension, and means for maintaining the duct of the shaft in communication with the interior of the drum during the operation.

7. A centrifugal machine for treating textiles with liquid and gases, comprising a vertical cylindrical vessel, covers forming top and bottom of said vessel, a hollow driving shaft supported vertically and rotatably in the top cover of the vessel, a perforated drum adapted to be wound with the materials to be treated, means for suspending said drum vertically on said shaft inside the vessel so that it will be rotated by the shaft and so that it can adjust itself about the suspension point and effect lits own centration, means for feeding fluid through the hollow shaft into the drum during the operation, a vertical plunger guided in the bottom cover of the vessel, a flanged ring carried by said plunger inside the vessel, said ring being adapted to serve as a temporary support for the drum during the suspension, means for withdrawing the support from the drum after the suspension, the bottom cover being provided with an annular space arranged so as to receive the fluid from the vessel, and a pipe communicating with said space for discharging the fluid.

HEINRICH WOLFER. 

